SEBI Launches Digital Signature Integration Facility for FPIs; Guide to Getting a DSC through eSolutions

SEBI Launches Digital Signature Integration Facility for FPIs; Guide to Getting a DSC through eSolutions.

New Delhi, January 9, 2026 — The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has announced a major enhancement to the Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) registration process, introducing an integrated Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) application facility within its Common Application Form (CAF) portal. This change is designed to streamline onboarding, reduce procedural friction, and speed up access to Indian capital markets for overseas investors.

Under the new system, foreign investors can now apply for a Class 3 digital signature directly while submitting their FPI registration application on the CAF portal — eliminating the need to separately obtain and upload a DSC before starting the registration process. SEBI has published detailed process flows and FAQs on the India Market Access Portal to help applicants navigate the new workflow.

The integrated facility builds on a March 2023 circular that first permitted FPIs to use digital signatures under the Information Technology Act, 2000 for executing the CAF and related documentation, but required DSC procurement outside the main onboarding sequence. The updated digital signature capability unifies these steps, advancing SEBI’s broader digitalization and ease-of-doing-business objectives for global investors.

What Is a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)?

A DSC is an electronic credential used to authenticate identity and securely sign digital documents. In the context of FPI registration, a Class 3 DSC — the highest common assurance level — is typically required for signing regulatory filings and executing legally valid digital confirmations on Indian government and regulatory platforms.

How to Get a DSC from eSolutions

While the SEBI CAF portal now enables direct DSC application through registered Indian certifying authorities, some applicants or intermediaries also choose to obtain a DSC independently from authorised providers such as eSolutions, a licensed digital signature service provider in India.

The following steps outline how an investor or authorised signatory can acquire a Class 3 DSC from eSolutions:

1. Select the Type of DSC Required - Decide whether you need an Individual Signing DSC or an Organization Signing DSC with appropriate validity (typically 1–3 years). eSolutions offers various certificate options, including Class 3 DSCs suitable for regulatory filings.

2. Complete the Online Application - Visit the eSolutions website and fill out the digital signature application form with personal and organisational details, as needed.

3. Provide Identity Verification - Upload scanned copies of required documents, such as a passport (for individual identity) and proof of address. For organisational DSCs, a Certificate of Incorporation or similar corporate documentation is also generally required.

4. Undergo Video KYC - eSolutions will prompt the applicant to complete a video-based Know Your Customer (KYC) verification. This step is critical for certificate issuance and compliance with regulatory identity standards.

5. Receive the DSC - Upon successful verification, the DSC can be delivered either as a USB token (secure hardware device) or, in some cases, provided in a paperless encrypted format for installation on approved devices.

6. Install and Use the DSC - Once obtained, install the DSC using the token or software provided. The certificate can then be used to digitally sign documents on SEBI’s CAF portal or other Indian regulatory and government platforms.

eSolutions has been providing digital signatures across India’s regulatory ecosystem for more than a decade, supporting government and private sector requirements with Class 3 certificates recognised on major portals.

Implications for Foreign Investors

The integrated DSC facility within SEBI’s CAF portal is expected to shorten FPI onboarding timelines, reduce external dependencies for certificate procurement, and improve the overall investor experience. Independent DSC providers such as eSolutions still remain relevant for institutions or authorised signatories who prefer to complete certificate issuance before initiating the SEBI registration process.

Foreign investors preparing to register as FPIs should review the documentation requirements and ensure that all identity verification and signature needs are met — using either SEBI’s integrated facility or an accredited provider — to ensure a smooth application process.